We were on what felt like the millionth exercise to teach Berry and I lead changes. We started going down the long side, circling, leg yelding back to the rail, and asking for the change. The leg yeld was easy. The change was not, and wouldn't happen. I could sense Berry's annoyance. I ended up aski[...]
I kept my head, and didn't let my nervousness get to me. I call that a success! My trainer went up the night before with her horses/ponies/kids and everyone spent the night there. We helped the organizer set up the course, and I am impressed by her collection of jumps. I intended to ge[...]
Since I had a lot of time to kill at Morven Park, I decided to check out their cross country course. On foot, of course. Certainly not with any intention of riding it, because I want to live a bit longer. But, I will start with arrival. Morven Park has the weirdest entrance to the horse area. It ma[...]
In the past, I've gone extended amounts of time without a trainer. When I was a kid, I literally thought I knew all there was to know, causing me to get untrained Vintage and fall off so many times I lost count. Also, one time she threw her head back so hard, it smashed my face and I literally saw[...]
This warm weather has been incredible, and inspired me to make the beautiful image above of trotting through a glorious meadow (just squint and use your imagination). Finally, I can emerge from my hovel, and get back to riding. Except that my poor Berry, who has been mostly idle for the duration of[...]
A long time ago, I ordered a set of monograms from Swanky Saddle. The products look amazing, and definitely add some class to whatever they are put on, so I was pretty excited to have them to stick on. When I finally got them, I was super excited, and stuck one of the monograms on right away. Then[...]
Today is the month I start taking monthly conformation pictures of my horses. Next month will be the month I start taking monthly conformation pictures of my horses and my pony, as he is not here right now. I have never actively tried to take a conformation photo of any of them, and it proved to[...]
After last week's episode, I spent some time doubling down on the security of the grain. I tied down the lids, and covered the sweet feed bin with a big tarp. I don't know why a tarp, because the raccoon would still be able to tell the sweet feed bin was there, but it felt like the right thing to do[...]
I had an amazing ride on Saturday. Berry was so perfect, she was like an old school horse. She is clearly better at this course/jumping business than I am, and I am so thankful she doesn't take advantage of my floppy self. (although I've been promised lots of no stirrup work, so floppy will soon be[...]
I'm a little bit creeped out by things in my barn now. There was a terror in there, it might have been a raccoon, but chances are equally great it was a ghost. It just so happens I was just talking to my friend about her ghost hunting adventure and I made a point of saying I don't believe, so I wond[...]